Toy dog bank



April 29, 1952 H. A. KIESELHORST 2,594,448

TOY DOG-BANK Filed May 5, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG .2

FIE E HE/wer A. K/EsEu/oesr April 29, 1952 H. A. KIESELHORST TOY DOG-BANK 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1950 HENRY A. K/ASELHOIZST ATTORNH April 29, 1952 H. A. KIESELHORST TOY DOG-BANK 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 5, 1950 HFIl/BY A. K/esr-woesr' Patented' Apr. 29, 1952 TOY DOG BANK Henry .A- .Kieselhorst, Richmond Heights, Mo., assignortolJune'K.lKieselhorst, .St. Louis, Mo.

ApplicationMay5, 1950,-Seria'l No. 160,286

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to improvements in toys andrnore particularly to toy banks.

The primary object of my invention is to providea novel, attractive and entertaining toy bank simulating an animal in appearance and designed to snap" up and swallow the coin .to- :be saved. In its preferred, although not necessarily its only, form the invention is embodied in a toy dog, and the user places a coin or other object upon the nose of the .dog and then, upon touching "a trip or release member, the dog very realistically snaps up and swallows the coin, there being a receptacle provided .for the accumulation and later, authorized removal of the banked .or collected objects.

.The invention vfurther has as an important object the provision of a toy dog bank which .is

extremely natural .in its action and which teaches the child a valuable lesson .on the behavior characteristics of the animal. seen a dog trained to hold a desired object, .such as a small piece of meat, on its nose until its master gives it permission to snap it u and eat it, the action of the toy is startlingly realistic.

I furthermore preferably arrange a simulated to the jaw and mouth of the animal as it swallows the coin or other object.

'These and other objects of the invention will be made apparent in the course of the following detailed specification wherein reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure .1 is a side elevation of a toy embodying my invention and a coin being placed onthe nose.

Figure '2 is a similar view but showing the coin in the process of being snapped up and swallowed. 1-

In hi V w also the drawer :in which the coins are collected is shown as partially pulled out for removal.

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the operating or actuating mechanism .for the toy,

To anyone who has .2 A the position assumed bycertain of the parts during the snapping andswallowingraction.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary frontal elevation along the line '55 in Figure "4.

Figure 6 is a'view similar to Figure 3 but taken from the opposite .side of the operating mechanism, and with a lower portion of the base omitted.

Figure 7 is aplan view of the operating mechanism as it is :shown in Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a detail, schematic viewof a modifiediorm of upper jaw retard means.

Referring ;now more particularly and by reference characters to the drawing, Ihave shown my invention in Figures '1 and 2 as arranged in the simulated body of :a dog A, in a seated position. arranged on a base B, and this body is made of papier-mach, molded plasticor the like, suitably shaped and naturally colored. The dog has a movable upper ,jaw and head C and lower jaw D, the junction between which and the body may be concealed by asimulated collar E. Projecting from between the dogs forelegs F is a trip arm G on which is mounted a simulated bone and from one side there projects a cooking member I. The operation of the mechanism is such, as will presently appear, that a coin J or similar object placed on the nose of the dog will be snapped up and swallowed, and will find its way finally into a drawer K which may be opened as sug gested in Figure 2 for removal of the accumula-ted coins. A suitable lock (not shown) ,may be provided to prevent unauthorized opening of the drawer but .since the precise construction of this look is not material to an understanding of my invention, it is not detailed herein.

In snapping up and swallowing the coin J the upper jaw C of the dog moves sharply back and its return is momentarily retarded, while the lower jaw D moves almost straight downward and then returns. These motions are brought about and properly timed and related by an action or actuating mechanism arranged in the body of the toy as willnow be described.

This mechanism is shown in Figures 3-7 and is mounted upon the base B and has as its foundation a frame or assembly including a housing 7 10 open at one end to receive the drawer K and the upper part of the dog body being shown in dotted lines.

Figure 4 is a similar side view of the operatin mechanism, showing the same as set or cocked ready for action, and also showing in dotted lines 5 s closed at its opposite, forward end. Secured rigidly to the base, forward of the housing I0, is ,a Usha-ped bracket having transversely spaced, upturned arms H. An upper jaw member l2 of rectangular shape is secured to the top 13 of an inverted U-shaped support or carrier having downwardly turned legs Ml5 positioned at lower ends alongside the bracket arms H. These lower ends of the legs I4I5 are pivotally mounted on a cocking shaft 16 journaled crosswise through the arms 1 I, the shaft extending well out to one side of the assembly and being provided with a crank or thumb-piece H at its extremity, forming the cocking member 1 aforesaid. I

The carrier thus supports the upper jaw member l2 for forward and rearward swinging movements above the base B but the jaw is normally urged forward to the normal position shown in Figures 3 and 6 by a retractile coil spring I8 (Figure 6). The lower end of this spring I8 is hooked at [9 in the rear end of an arm 20 secured to and extending rearwardly from the carrier leg 15 while the upper end of the spring is hooked at 2| in the side of an upright stationary coin chute 22 secured atop the housing Hi. This chute is rectangular in cross section and at its lower end registers with an'opening 23 in the top of the housing so that coins dropped into the open upper end of the chute may fall into the drawer K which is placed in the housing. The upper jaw 12 stands a considerable distance from and forward of the top of the chute.

Located below the upper jaw and projecting forward from the upper end of the chute 22' is a trough-shaped lower jaw member 24. which is positioned between the carrier legs l4-I5. and has a bottom 25 and upstanding, forwardly tapering sides 26. This lower jaw inclines upwardly and forwardly to meetthe upper jaw l2 at its forward end and some distance rearwardly the lower jaw is secured at 21 (Figure 6) to the top 28 of an inverted U-shaped lower jaw carrier having depending legs 29 located immediately within the upper jaw carrier legs [4-45. Pivots 3D connect the legs 29 to the legs l4|5 a short distance below the lower jaw, the legs 29 being comparatively short as clearly shown. The forward, upper side of the coin chute 22 is open at 3| (Figure 7) and the rear end of the lower jaw 24 has a lip extension 32 entering this opening but the jaw is offset laterally so that one side 26 may project rearwardly alongside the chute as seen in Figures 3 and '7. Also as there shown, this side of the chute 22 is notched out at 33 to provide clearance for the lower jaw. At this side of the assembly a tie link 34 is pivoted at 35 to the rear end of the lower jaw 24 and extends downwardly alongside the chute 22 and housin 19 terminating inwardly of a base bar 36 secured on edge atop the base B alongside the housing. A pivot 3! connects the lower end of the link 34 to the base bar 36 and thus the link may swing forwardly and rearwardly at its upper end for a purpose presently to appear.

Also pivoted at 3'! to the base bar 36 is the lower end of a trip lever 38 which extends upwardly alongside the coin chute 22 and has an upper forwardly turned end 39 which is arcuate in shape. The forward extremity of this arcuate end 39 of the trip lever passes alongside the upper jaw carrier leg [4 and loosely into a rectangular yoke 49 projecting outwardly from that leg; The upper edge of the trip lever end 39 has a catch notch 4i and in the normal position of the parts, this notch engages the upper edge 42 of the yoke 40 (Figure 3). The trip arm G is secured at 43 to the lower end portion of the trip lever 38 above "the pivot 31 and projects forwardly from the mechanism above the base B. The-trip lever 38 at its upper extremity and at the junction with its arcuate forwardly turned end 39 has a lateral- 1y projecting stop 44 and forwardly thereof an outwardly and rearwardly angling cam surface or rib 45.

A cocking lever 46 is pivoted at its lower end on the cocking shaft 5 and at its upper end is laterally offset and then inset at 4! so as to clear the end 39 of the trip lever 38 while bringing the upper end 48 of the cocking lever inward into the same plane as the trip lever. On its inside surface the inset cocking lever end 43 has a catch 49 adapted, in the cocked position of the parts (Figure 4), to enter an opening 59 in the upper jaw carrier leg I4 and to catch against the rear edge 5| of that opening. The cocking lever 46 is normally swung rearward at its upper end by a retractile coil spring 52 stretched between the trip arm G and a rearwardly projecting arm 53 secured to the cooking lever. Thus in the normal position of the parts (Figure 3) the cocking lever is swung back against the stop 44 and to ensure that the lever will not fly past the stop, the latter has a forwardly projecting lip 54, appearing in Figure 7.

The cocking lever 46 near its lower end and above the shaft l6 carries an outwardly turned pin 55 with which is engaged the forked upper end 56 of an actuator 51 forked at its lower end to straddle the shaft but secured firmly to the shaft as seen at 58. Between the actuator 53 and adjacent lower end of the leg I4 an expansion coil spring 59 (Figure 5) is placed around the shaft I6 and, bearing between a washer 66 and the lever 46, urges the latter inwardly on the shaft against the adjacent bracket arm I I. The lower end of the lever 46 is turned in at 6| to bear against the leg M with minimum resistance to swinging movement of the leg, and the actuator obviously serves to lock the leg to the cocking shaft but the spring 59 permits limited play of the lever axially of the shaft.

Coins dropping through the open upper end of the chute 22 are held against return by a trap door or flap 62 located angularly in the chute and pivoted at 63 upon a cross pin. A very light retractile coil spring 64 is stretched between a forwardly turned upper 'end 65 of this flap (projecting, of course, through an opening in the chute) and a lower point on the chute. This spring will hold the flap closed but will allow it to swing open as a coin drops downward. See Figure 6.

The yoke 40 has a rearwardly turned lower finger .66 acting as a retainer to hold the upper end of the cocking lever 46 against outward, lateral escape. A stop pin 61' is mounted on the base bar 36 to limit downward movement of the trip member G so that it cannot strike the base. These are among the features which contribute to the fool-proof operation of the mechanism.

With the parts in the positions shown in Fi ure 3, the mechanism is first cocked, bringing the parts to the positions shown in full lines in Figure 4. This is accomplished by grasping the cocking thumb-piece l1 and turning it counterclockwise, swinging the cocking lever 46 forward at its upper end until its catch 49 snaps into the opening 50. The spring 59 permits the upper end of the cooking lever to move outward as the catch is so engaged, and the spring 52 is stretched by this action. A coin J, or other object, may now be placed on the forward end of the upper jaw I2 and the trip arm G depressed to set the mechanism in action. The depression of the trip arm swings the trip lever 39 forward at its upper end and its curved end 39 moves arcane downward freeing the notch 41 from the yoke edge ,42. The cocking lever .46 remains locked to the upper jaw carrier, however, and as the notch ,4] is thus disengaged, the stretched spring 52 pulls this assembly sharply rearward, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure a. This motion takes place about the axis of the shaft l6 and is fast enough that the upper jaw is pulled ,out from beneath the coin J. At the same time the rearward movement of the upper jaw carrier legs l4.-l.5 swings the lower jaw carrier legs 29 about their pivots 3.0, and the jaw about its pivot 35, ,and moves the forward end of the lower jaw M downward. There is, necessarily, ,a slight rear.-

Ward swinging component in this lower jaw movement but it is so slight that the lower jaw remains well forwardly projectedso .that thecoin may fall into it and slide reanward .off the lip 32 and down into the chute 22 from whence it falls into the drawer K in the housing 1-9.

As the connected cocking lever A5 .and upper jaw carrier approach the limit of their rearward swing, the cooking lever rides onto the cam surface 45 which crowds the lever outward until the catch 49 is disengaged from the opening 50. As this occurs the spring 52 holds the cooking lever 46 back against the stop A l and the spring [8, which is weaker than the spring 5.2, now reasserts itself and pulls the upper jaw ,carrier back in a forward direction. This forward motion moves the upper jaw forward and the lower jaw upward until they return to starting positions, and the notch 4| again locks the assembly in this position ready for the next operation.

Time is required for the coin to .be sure and vfall into the lower jaw after the upper jaw swings back and dislodges the coin, and I, therefore, provide means for momentarily retarding the forward return motion of the upper jaw to ensure this proper operation. In its preferred form, this retard means consists of a hammer or weight 68 pivoted on a cross pin Eiicarried by ears l0 struck up in transversely spaced relation from the upper jaw. The weight of the hammer is so distributed about the axis of the pin .69 that the hammer rocks over forward in the normal position. Now, as the upper jaw moves rearward and again starts forward, the inertia of the hammer will cause it to tilt sharply rearward with a sharp hammering effect on the jaw. This action very momentarily delays the forward return gnotion of the jaw, giving the coin time to fall into the trough-like lower jaw as will be ,elearly apparent.

Alternatively I may employ a retard means op erating'in some fashion by air, whether it be a bellows, an air cylinder having a sort of dashpot action, or an air pouch. As seen in Figure 8, a bellows-like pouch TI is attached by a connecting rod 72 to the leg id of the carrier for the upper jaw i2 and is arranged with an outwardly opening flap valve l3 so that'air may escape freely from the pouch as the jaw ,i Z moves rearwardly but will be hindered in its return to the pouch as the jaw moves forward again. A number of similar arrangements are, of course, possible and are considered as within the scope of my invention.

In practice, the mechanism constructed as thus described, is mounted with the toy body A and the jaws l2 and 2,4 are respectively secured to the jaws C and D- to impart the described-motions thereto. The action of the jaws .is thus made so realistic, and are carried out 'so, quickly that the toy will have reality and be extremely at- 16 tractive to children. i he toy is also instructive. tfi qhing saving and ,a respect for animals. The mechanism is shaped to ,fit very nicely the papier-mach dog body aseatedereot posture, but I do not limit myself tosuoh material or such use.

In the operation of this device it will be seen from an inspection of Fig.4, wherein is shown in full lines the jaws i2 and lclosed, and in dotted lines these jaws open, with the upper jaw l2 retracted and the lower jaw 24 moved downward, that this action results from the inward and forward inclination from the vertical of the tie-link 34 at its pivotal connection with the rear end of the lower jaw ,24, and the inward and rearward inclination of the carrier elements l4,l5 and the lower jaw carrier 28 which slidably supports the forward endof the lower jaw 24. Thus with the mechanism in normal position the jaws standclosed, but .when'the trip-arm G is depressed, the elements 5.47. .5, and 28 all are released and move .rearwar ly under .the action of the spring 52, and the .tie-rod.,3,4 moves toward a vertical position, .thuselevating the rear end of the lower jaw 2,4 and correspondingly lowering and opening the forward or mouth-end thereof, while ,sirnHItanQ -USW the lower jaw carrier .28 slides rearwardly and downwardly and thus operates to further open .the lower jaw 24. This action of the lower jaw occurs simultaneously with the retraction .of the upper jaw l2 as slidably supported ,on the .carrier 2.8.

Having now fully described .my invention, what I claim as new and "desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A toy of the character described,comprising body having movable upper and lower jaws, means supporting the upper jaw for forward and rearward movements, lmeans supporting the lower jaw for up and down movements, cocking means for placing the jaws under spring tension, release means for releasing the jaws whereby the upper jaw will moverearward as the lower jaw moves downward, and means for retarding the return forward and upward-movement of the jaws,

2. A toy mechanismof thecharacter described, comprising in combination, a frame, ,an upper jaw, a, carrier for the uppr jaw pivoted on the frame and supporting the jaw for forward and rearward swinging movements, a lower jaw located below the upper jaw, acarrier secured to the lower jaw and pivoted on the upper jaw carrier to move therewith, a link pivotal-1y connected between the lower jaw and frame operative to :move that jaw substantially straight downawe a d a d a th up e jaw m ve spectively rearward and forward, and means for moving the jaws.

3. A toy mechanismof the character described, eomprising in combination, a frame, an upper jaw, a carrier for the upper jaw pivoted on the frame and supporting the jaw for forward and rearward swinging movements, .a lower jaw located below the upper jaw, ,a carrier secured to the lower jaw and pivoted on the upper jaw carrier, a linl; pivotally connected between the lower jaw and frame and operative to move that jaw substantially straight downward and upward as the upper jaw moves respectively rearward and forward, a spring arranged to normally urge the upper jaw forward, trip mechanism for -releas =abliy holding the upper jaw in its forward positionfand a cooking mechanism rnovableinto position for pulling the-upper jaw rearward, said cocking mechanism including a spring stronger than the spring urging the upper jaw forward.

4. A toy mechanism of the character described, comprising in combination, a frame, an upper jaw, a carrier for the upper jaw pivoted on the frame and supporting the jaw for forward and rearward swinging movements, a lower jaw located below the upper jaw, a carrier secured to the lower jaw and pivoted on the upper jaw carrier, a link pivotally connected between the lower jaw and frame and operative to move that jaw substantially straight downward and upward as the upper jaw moves respectively rearward and forward, a first spring operatively arranged to urge the upper jaw forward, a second and stronger spring and means for manually applying the tension thereof to the upper jaw to move the latter rearwardly, and a trip mechanism for releasably holding the jaws in place against the tension of the second spring.

5. A toy mechanism of the character described, comprising in combination, a frame, an upper jaw, a carrier for the upper jaw pivoted on the frame and supporting the jaw for forward and rearward swinging movements, a lower jaw located below the upper jaw, a carrier secured to the lower jaw and pivoted on the upper jaw carrier, a link pivotally connected between the lower jaw and frame and operative to move that jaw substantially straight downward and upward as the upper jaw moves respectively rearward and forward, spring means for urging the upper jaw forwardly, a trip member pivoted on the frame and having a notch for engaging a part of the upper jaw carrier, a cooking member and means for manually positioning the same, the said cocking member having a catch for also engaging a part of the upper jaw carrier, and a spring stronger than the first-mentioned spring means and connected to said cocking member and tensioned to swing the upper jaw rearwardly when the said trip member notch is released from the carrier for the upper jaw.

6. A toy mechanism of the character described, comprising in combination, a frame, an upper jaw, a carrier for the upper jaw pivoted on the frame and supporting the jaw for forward and rearward swinging movements, a lower jaw located below the upper jaw, a carrier secured to the lower jaw and pivoted to the upper jaw carrier to move therewith, a pm; pivotally connected between the lower jaw and frame and operative to move that jaw substantially straight downward and upward as the upper jaw moves respectively rearward and forward, spring means for urging the upper jaw forwardly, a trip member pivoted on the frame and having a notch for engaging a part of the upper jaw carrier, a cooking member and means for manually positioning the same, the said cocking member having a catch for also engaging a part of the upper jaw carrier, a spring stronger than the first-mentioned spring means and connected to said cocking member and tensioned to swing the upper jaw rearwardly when the said trip member notch is released from the carrier for the upper jaw, and a stop and cam on the trip member operative to release the cocking member catch from the upper jaw carrier as the jaw moves rearwardly whereby said spring means may return the jaw forward again.

'7. A toy mechanism of the character described, comprising in combination,a frame, an upper jaw, a carrier for the upper jaw pivoted on the frame and supporting the jaw for forward and rearward swinging movements, a lower jaw located below the upper jaw, a carrier secured to the lower jaw and pivoted to the upper jaw carrier to move therewith, a link pivotally connected between the lower jaw and frame and operative to move that jaw substantially straight downward and upward as the upper jaw moves respectively rearward and forward, spring means for urging the upper jaw forwardly, a trip mem-- ber pivoted on the frame and having a notch for engaging a part of the upper jaw carrier, a cocking'member and means for manually positioning the same, the said cocking member having a catch for also engaging a part of the upper jaw carrier, a spring stronger than the first-mentioned spring means connected to said cocking member for swinging the upper jaw rearwardly when the said trip member notch is released from the carrier for the upper jaw, a stop and. cam on the trip member operative to release the cooking member catch from the upper jaw carrier as the jaw moves rearwardly whereby said spring means may return the jaw forward again, the lower jaw being trough-shaped and having an open rear end, and an upright chute having an open upper end communicating with the rear end of the lower jaw.

8. A toy mechanism of the character described, comprising in combination, a frame, an upper jaw, a carrier for the upper jaw pivoted on the frame and supporting the jaw for forward and rearward movements, 9. lower jaw located below the upper jaw, a carrier secured to the lower jaw and pivoted to the upper jaw carrier to move therewith, a link pivotally connected between the lower jaw and frame and operative to move that jaw substantially straight downward and upward as the upper jaw moves respectively rearward and forward, spring means for urging the upper jaw forwardly, a trip member pivoted on the frame and having a notch for engaging a part of the upper jaw carrier, a cooking member and means for manually positioning the same, the said cocking member having a catch for also engaging a part of the upper jaw carrier, a spring stronger than the first-mentioned spring means connected to said cocking member and tensioned to swing the upper jaw rearwardly when the said trip member notch is released from the carrier for the upper jaw, a stop and cam on the trip member operative to release the cooking member catch from the upper jaw carrier as the jaw moves rearwardly whereby said spring means may return the jaw forward again, and a hammer weight pivoted on the upper jaw and unbalanced about its pivot to normally tilt forward. but to swing back sharply and impart a hammer blow to the jaw as it moves rearward and starts back forward to thus momentarily retard the forward movement.

9. A toy mechanism of the character described, comprising in combination, a frame, an upper jaw, a carrier for the upper jaw pivoted on the frame and supporting the jaw for forward and rearward swinging movements, a lower jaw, a carrier secured to the lower jaw and pivoted to the upper jaw carrier to move therewith, a link pivotally connected between the lower jaw and frame and operative to guide that jaw substantially straight downward and upward as the upper jaw moves respectively rearwardand forward, spring means for urging the upper jaw forwardly, a trip member pivoted on the frame and having a notch for engaging a part of the upper jaw carrier, at cocking member and means for manually positioning the same, the said cocking member having a catch for also engaging a part of the upper jaw carrier. a spring stronger than the first-mentioned spring means connected to said cocking member and tensioned to swing the upper jaw rearwardly when the said trip member notch is released from the carrier for the upper jaw, a stop and cam on the trip member operative to release the cocking member catch from the upper jaw carrier as the jaw moves rearwardly whereby said spring means may return the jaw forward again, and an air contamer connected to the upper jaw to be collapsed and having a valve to retard the inflow of air and the air expelled as the jaw moves rearward as the jaw moves forward to retard that motion.

HENRY A. KIESElJ-IORST.

REFERENCES crrEn The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 1.

5 UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number Name Date 226,831 Bowen Apr. 27, 1880 1,521,532 Hansen Dec. 30, 1924 7 2,277,882 Quady Mar. 31, 1942 

